RU2692197C1 - Device for treating human hand carpal channel syndrome - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to medical equipment. Device is intended for treatment of human hand carpal tunnel syndrome, having palmar side with areas of thenar and hypothenar and dorsal side opposite palmar side. Wrist cuff has a C-shaped profile in cross section, besides, two ends of the C-shaped profile of the cuff for hand compose a hole of the cuff. Cuff for a hand has two or more parts of a cuff, having a C-shaped profile in cross-section and connected to each other by means of a connecting element with formation of a cuff for a hand. Parts of the cuff are connected to each other by means of a connecting element preferably with the possibility of displacement and/or rotation and disconnection so that the width of the cuff hole can be adjusted individually for each patient. Sections of connected and C-shaped parts of the collar mutually overlap and are part of connecting element. What is disclosed is a device for treating human hand carpal tunnel syndrome, including such a cuff.EFFECT: providing comfortable, controlled and effective use for treating carpal tunnel syndrome, thereby providing simple, effective, reliable and durable use for treating carpal tunnel syndrome.17 cl, 9 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a cuff for a hand for a device for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome in the human hand according to the restrictive part of claim 1 and to a device for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome in the human hand.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is understood as the compression syndrome of the median nerve in the region of the carpal canal, which runs along the palm or the inner surface of the wrist. Typical symptoms are sporadic pains or paresthesias that can spread from the palm to the whole arm. At a later stage, this can lead to muscular atrophy in the area of the thumb, weakness in the grip and a decrease in the sense of touch. Surgical treatment is associated with the hazards and complications of surgery.

Conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome is known. In this case, wearing special night tires or applying molded support bands can eliminate or alleviate pain, at least for a while. This is ensured by the use of so-called wrist orthoses, which prevent pain-causing flexion of the wrist, particularly at night. These orthoses or appropriate bandages reduce pain, but do not have a sufficient therapeutic effect and, thus, do not fight the cause of pain, according to a report by Claudia Lemper et al. For 2012 on therapeutic and auxiliary agents, BARMER GEK, September 2012. Such wrist orthoses are known, for example, from US patent US 7,175,603 B1 and patent applications EP 2060244 A1, DE 4326751 A1 and US 2010/0298750 Al.

An alternative to these orthoses on the wrist are special tires that open the carpal canal of the hand, stretching it and thus extending the transverse ligaments.

This process reduces the pressure on the nerves, which relieves pain and promotes healing of inflammation.

WO 03/017885 A1 describes a method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome and an automatic device that has a housing for placing a patient’s wrist with pressure elements in contact with the hypothenar area or with the surface of the wrist on the little finger side, with the tenar area or with the brush hands from the side of the thumb, and with the dorsal area or the back of the hand. The housing for placing the hand is a closed 0-shaped housing with a slot for the thumb. In this case, unfortunately, it is required that two active pressure sources apply pressure to the hypothenar area for the first pressure element and to the tener area of the hand for the second pressure element. On the opposite dorsal side of the hand, the pressure pad provides back pressure. At the same time, the control unit controls both active pressure sources in such a way that the areas of the tenor and hypothenar of the hand move apart around the dorsally located pressure pad. Only as a result of both forces acting from the palmar side and the force acting from the dorsal side, in the closed case, the wrist bone is separated. In this case, the size of the body must be very precisely set in accordance with the size of the hand being treated, and it must be made on the basis of this size; otherwise, the efficiency decreases.

From US patent US 6,146,347 B1, a device and method for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome is known. WO 03/007804 A2 discloses another method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome and a C-shaped device for accommodating a right or left hand with a pressure element in the dorsal region, the body having an open housing on one side carpal tunnel syndrome.

Unlike the orthoses surrounding the wrist from all sides, this open C-shaped case design for accommodating the right or left hand provides the possibility of opening the carpal canal of the hand, stretching it and extending the transverse ligaments. The pressure element used for this is connected to an active pressure source, so that when the hand is inserted into the body, the pressure element can be activated to apply pressure on the dorsal side of the hand. The device contains hard areas for contact with the areas of tenar and hypotenar hand. Stretching the wrist bone is provided by the downward force of the pressure element and the effect of the lever of the hard sections. In this case, it is necessary to determine the dimensions of the body and give it a shape so that the patient’s hand is placed and effectively processed by precisely controlled transverse stretching. Therefore, due to the construction of rigid material, the body must be made in different sizes: S (small), M (medium) and L (large). By measuring the width of the hand, a size is determined that is suitable for different patients. Using the correct case size is critical to the success of the treatment. If the body is too narrow, the hand to be treated is squeezed and cannot be sufficiently straightened by the pressure element. This reduces the efficiency, since the carpal tunnel is not stretched sufficiently. Despite accurate instructions for measuring the width of the hand, this method is very sensitive to erroneous measurements. This, in turn, leads to a relatively high proportion of return or replacement devices. It is very difficult to check how many patients perform the treatment with a cuff suitable for them.

European patent EP 2664306 B1 discloses a device for treating carpal tunnel syndrome with a C-shaped body for accommodating the right or left hand with a pressure element in the dorsal region. Unlike the orthoses surrounding the wrist from all sides, this open C-shaped case design for accommodating the right or left hand provides the possibility of opening the carpal canal of the hand, stretching it and extending the transverse ligaments. This device provides the possibility of differentiated treatment due to the fact that two inserts of different thickness can be installed in the cuff, allowing the patient to adjust or reduce the size of the cuff. Together with a unified, C-shaped integral cuff, the patient receives a set of inserts of various thickness with color design. The patient no longer has to determine the correct cuff size for the hand by measuring the width of the hand. The enclosed liners of various thickness allows the patient to independently select the appropriate size for him by sample and, if necessary, change it by replacing / removing the liners. Thus, patient use of the cuff is preferably simplified, while being always provided with the right size. Therefore, due to the choice of different tabs, using this device is difficult for the user.

Thus, the object of the invention is to provide a device for treating carpal tunnel syndrome and a cuff for the hand for a device for treating carpal tunnel syndrome, the use of which can be comfortable, controlled and effective.

This problem is solved with the help of the cuff for the hand according to p. 1 and the device according to p. 17 of the claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The solution according to the invention lies in the fact that the cuff for the hand for a device for treating carpal canal syndrome of the human hand, having a palm side with tener and hypotenar regions and a dorsal side opposite the palm side, is made of two or more cuff parts, with the cuff C -shaped cross section. At the same time, unlike the orthoses surrounding the wrist on all sides, the C-shaped cuff design for the hand, open on one side to accommodate the right or left hand, provides the possibility of opening the carpal canal of the hand due to the fact that the channel is stretched and Thus, the transverse ligaments are lengthened, thanks to which the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is purposefully treated, and not only to combat the symptoms. Parts of the cuff, all or at least partially, have a C-shaped profile in cross section and are connected to each other by at least one connecting element to form a cuff for a hand with a C-shaped profile in cross section. When this part of the cuff are connected to each other in such a way that the connected cuff for the hand provides the formation of the stop for the installed pressure pad and the opening of the carpal canal of the hand due to the fact that the channel is stretched and thus the transverse ligaments are lengthened, thereby purposefully treating the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, not only struggling with the symptoms. Also, the cuff parts are connected to each other in such a way that they have a cuff opening suitable for the patient and, depending on the connection, have a corresponding different cross-section suitable for the patient. Due to this, in particular, it is possible to create various openings with different cross-sections by connecting C-shaped parts of the cuff to accommodate the hand of a person suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Thanks to this preferable adjustment capability, the connecting element can be used to provide an effective treatment of the patient’s carpal tunnel syndrome in a very simple, reliable and convenient way, while individually fitting the cuff to the hand depending on the patient’s needs. Due to the composite design of the cuff parts for the hand, in combination with the possibility of individually fitting the cross-section of the corresponding hole for the hand through the connecting element or connecting elements, it is often possible to refuse to use the insert in the cuff for the hand according to the prior art.

Especially easy to use cuff for the hand for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome has two parts of the cuff, which are C-shaped in cross section and which can be connected using a connecting element according to the invention to form the claimed cuff for a hand that has C-shaped shape in cross section. These two parts of the cuff are particularly preferred since they are particularly suitable for the patient in that they ensure the acceptability and convenience of adjusting and connecting the parts of the cuff to form a cuff for the hand.

Especially preferred was the design of the connecting element, in which the connected parts of the cuff can be displaced and / or rotated relative to each other, whereby an adjustment of the width of the opening of the C-shaped cuff for the hand and thus an increase or decrease in the cross-section of the cuff for the hand for an individual fit depending on the patient's needs By providing a fit fit by displacement, which occurs as a displacement along a linear or slightly curved This line, in particular the circular line, provides a very simple and reliable fit and use of the cuff for the hand in terms of fitting to individual needs. Accordingly, this also applies to the width adjustment by means of a pivotal movement, in which both parts of the cuff can be rotated relative to each other around a fixed or displaceable axis on one part of the cuff, and the width of the opening of the cuff can be changed and adjusted depending on the patient's needs.

In particular, it allows the use of many intermediate positions for individual adjustment. In this case, the individual positions can be marked, in particular, by locking elements, so that unintentional removal from the desired position of displacement, rotation or connection can be difficult, which does not preclude or does not prevent simple, convenient and reliable fitting.

Also, in addition to the many preferred intermediate positions provided, it has proved preferable to allow each possible intermediate position to be selected from among the plurality of continuously connected intermediate displacement and / or pivoting positions and their connection in this position with a connecting element configured to be displaced and / or rotated, and fixing that position.

The arrangement of one or more connecting elements in portions of the cuff portions that mutually overlap has proven particularly advantageous since in this case also a simple and effective connection is formed by means of the connecting element or connecting elements. This is the more effective, the less curved are made overlapping sections with the corresponding connecting elements. Especially preferred were flat overlapping surfaces, since they can be particularly simply and reliably displaced with sliding on each other, thereby forming a very reliable connection with the aid of a connecting element or connecting elements.

As an alternative to flat overlapping areas, cylindrically curved surfaces are also preferred, which can be displaced relative to each other by a pivoting movement and thus can be reliably connected by means of a connecting element. In particular, this can be reliable in the case of identical or slightly different cylinder radii. The cylindrical curved surfaces of the overlapping portions provide the possibility of making the cuff for the hand according to the invention with a C-shaped cross section, which is particularly convenient to use. Small deviations from the constant radius of the cylinder also do not have any significant restrictions on the positive effect. The fit to the individual needs of the patient is largely ensured in the case of flat or slightly cylindrically curved overlapping areas.

If the device according to the invention has a pressure pad to be installed in the cuff for the hand, it is particularly preferable to use at least one connecting element of the cuff for the hand according to the invention with a plurality of holes for accommodating a hose for supplying or removing the fluid for the pressure pad fitting in the cuff. At the same time, at least one hole in the region of the connecting element is made in the form of an elongated slot, so that both parts of the cuff overlapping in the region of the connecting element can be displaced relative to each other, whereby according to the invention the width of the opening of the cuff or the cross section of the cuff for the hand can be adapted to fit without cutting or clamping a hose inserted into the overlapping holes of the connecting element. Due to the elongated slot, it is particularly preferable to provide for the displacement of the cuff parts provided by the invention by means of a connecting element adapted for displacement. By means of a targeted choice of the length of the elongated slot, it is also possible to determine the degree of individual adjustability of the possible offset distance and / or the range of rotation of the cuff parts relative to each other and the size of the width of the opening of the cuff and, thus, change them within this range. Due to this, the use of the cuff for the hand according to the invention is preferably limited and, thus, improper use is prevented, for example, caused by improper connection of the cuff parts by means of the connecting element.

In particular, preferably the parts of the cuff have guide members for determining the possible displacement and / or rotation of the parts of the cuff relative to each other. Due to this, a certain displacement and / or rotation of the cuff parts relative to each other in a limited spatial range is established, which is also guaranteed when used by a less experienced patient, and thus improper use is largely excluded.

Particularly preferred guide elements are connecting elements, such as tongue-and-groove joints, slide guides and / or side guides. However, the guide members are not limited to these specifically mentioned guide members. In addition to the possibility of using one pair of guide elements interconnected, the use of two or more pairs, such as pairs parallel to each other, in particular pairs of identical guide elements, has proven particularly preferable. Thanks to them, it is possible to provide particularly reliable guidance during the displacement and / or rotation process and, thus, the possibility of individual adjustment depending on the needs of the individual patient, thereby greatly reducing the likelihood of skewing and, thus, blocking of the cuff parts during individual adjustment .

Particularly preferable is the use of a pair of guide elements of the tongue-and-groove joint type, in which the ridge is directed with a possibility of displacement along the groove, thereby preventing lateral sliding of the ridge from the groove. Accordingly, it is preferable that the sliding guide can be made of a pair of guide elements in which the slider is directed in the sliding element, thereby providing a forced direction along the sliding element groove. Alternatively, it is preferable to use a so-called side guide, in which two opposite edges of a part of the cuff are guided on the side by guiding elements. They are made, in particular, in the form of pins or bulges protruding from the corresponding part of the cuff. They prevent lateral displacement of the cuff parts relative to each other due to the fact that these guiding elements forcibly guide the edge like a lateral lateral stop and, therefore, provide a longitudinal direction. In addition, by using height guides, the side guide can also prevent unintended vertical slipping of a portion of the cuff from the attached other portion of the cuff. These guiding elements are particularly preferred since they provide a certain possibility of individually positioning the parts of the cuff relative to each other and, thus, provide a simple and effective way of fitting the width of the opening of the cuff. Due to this, improper use is unlikely.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the cuff for the hand according to the invention, the guide elements are made in the form of one or more sliding guides, in which one or more sliders with an internal cut-out fit into one or more slide tracks, the profile of the sliders corresponding to the profile of the corresponding slip track. Thus, in addition to the lateral direction, the undesirable vertical slipping of the sliders from the slide track, which together form the guide element, is limited or eliminated.

Due to the invariable shape of the slider and the standard design of the slip track, it is preferable that the cuff parts connected with the slide guide cannot be separated, thus the functionality of the cuff for the hand is always ensured even under extreme conditions.

According to the invention, in the slide track, there is an additional compartment area, which provides the possibility of removing and / or inserting a profiled slide from or into the profiled slide track. This is ensured, in particular, by the fact that the profiled slip track in the area of separation no longer corresponds to the slider profile, but has a recess through which the slide can be removed from the slide track or inserted. Due to this, a complete separation or unification of the cuff parts is ensured by means of a guide element, made in the form of a slide with a corresponding slip track, as part of the connecting element. This, on the one hand, ensures efficient use, characterized by a simple and reliable direction, and, on the other hand, especially high manufacturability of individual parts as parts of the cuff.

In this case, the separation area is preferably made so that it corresponds in shape to the slider, and the size of the separation area is preferably chosen so that the recess is chosen slightly larger than the size of the slider. In addition, the shape of the recess of the separation region is preferably chosen so that it matches the shape of the slider, which ensures that the preferred direction during installation or removal of the slider from the slide track and, thus, the specified orientation of both parts of the cuff when connecting or separating proper use. This is ensured, in particular, due to the fact that a rotationally invariant form of a slider is chosen or at least a form of a slider that has many preferred directions, i.e. orientations for separation or connection, and thus a slider with several invariants is chosen to turn. This ensures a very safe use due to the fact that the connection or separation of the parts of the cuff can be carried out only in the required, correct and specified orientation of the parts of the cuff relative to each other.

Particularly preferably, one or more parts of the cuff have a limitation of displacement and / or rotation, in particular, provided by the stop and / or end of the slide track of the slide guide. Due to this limitation of displacement and / or rotation, it is possible to limit the use of the cuff for the hand and, thus, limit the range of adjustment of the cuff parts relative to each other and, due to this, define a functionally and anatomically expedient width of the cuff opening and eliminate unwanted opening of the cuff.

In addition, the connecting element parts of the cuff, made with the possibility of displacement and / or rotation relative to each other, preferably has a scale to indicate the size of the displacement and / or rotation or width of the opening of the cuff for the hand. This makes it possible in a particularly advantageous way to make a successful and proven adjustment of the width of the opening of the cuff and to once again ensure that the cuff is accessible to the relevant patient, for example, after cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing or after adjusting and fitting to another patient. In this way, treatment can also be documented, in particular, in the case of progressive methods of treatment with a variable opening width of the cuff, thereby adapting and optimizing the treatment method depending on the specific patient.

In this case, the scale is preferably arranged parallel to one or more guide tracks, while, in particular, the edge of the overlapping areas is marked on top of one or on one of the two overlapping parts of the cuff and acting as a pointer. The pointer or marking interacts with an uncovered and thus visible scale and indicates the position and, thus, the size of the width of the opening of the cuff. This type of scale, in particular with marking over or on another part of the cuff, makes it particularly reliable to read or adjust the width of the opening of the cuff and thus provides a very reliable and safe therapeutic use of the cuff for the hand according to the invention for treating carpal canal syndrome .

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more fasteners are used located in or on the connecting element. Thanks to this fastening element or these fastening elements, it is possible to establish the position of the parts of the cuff in the connected state and fix the set width of the opening of the cuff. Due to the location of this fastener or these fasteners in the connecting element, this fixation can be especially reliable, and thus, the use can be very safe. As an exemplary fastener, screw-nut joints, magnetic joints, adhesive joints, flush connections, for example, in the form of locking joints or, for example, in the form of hook-and-loop tape connections and / or clamping connections, in particular, by means of clamping elements of the crank lever, or a combination thereof.

Preferably, one or more fastening elements are located in the connecting element in the region of the guide elements so that the adjustment of the width of the opening of the cuff, in particular carried out by displacement and / or rotation, can be performed on the one hand by means of the guide elements, and on the other hand fixed by means of fastening elements that interact in particular with guide elements.

Particularly preferably, fixation is carried out by connecting a screw-nut located in the guide element in the form of a longitudinal groove. By means of the screw, a reliable orientation along the guide element, made in the form of an elongated slot, was made. On the other hand, tightening the nut on the screw ensures fixation due to the fact that the cuff parts are pressed together with the guide elements in the connecting element and, thus, fixed relative to each other.

Alternatively, using a particularly preferred fastener, by connecting using a crank arm, simple detachment can be achieved by opening the crank arm and displacing and / or rotating the cuff parts relative to each other, while pulling the cuff parts by tensioning the crank arm and thereby fixing these parts are relative to each other. Such a connection using a crank arm has a lever arm on which a cylindrical end element is located at one end, along the perimeter of which the radius of the cylindrical end element is increased. This crank arm is attached to the end of the bolt and can be rotated relative to the end of the bolt. When turning, the distance between the free end of the bolt and the cylindrical end element of the crank arm can be changed, that is, either increased or decreased. Due to this, it is possible to adapt the weakening or tightening by increasing or decreasing the free distance to the free end (cylindrical end element) and, thus, increasing or decreasing the area in which the cuff parts are located in the connecting area of the connecting elements, and detach them or fix relative to each other friend This type was particularly convenient to use.

In addition, fixation by means of a magnetic connection, adhesive connection or a connection with a geometric closure was preferable for various reasons, because, on the one hand, they are easy to detach and reattach, and, on the other hand, if necessary, they can be adjusted once to the needs of man, after which they can no longer be changed and, thus, have reliable stability. If necessary, a suitable fastener is selected as a separate element or as a combination of several fasteners.

Particularly preferably, the cuff for the hand has a plurality of guiding elements made in the form of sliding guides, with one or more sliders with an internal cutout and with one or more slide tracks having a profile matched with one or more sliders. In the intermediate region between the two slideways is located at least one fastening element. This ensures a very reliable direction by covering the fastener or fasteners with guide elements and fixing the cuff parts with different widths.

In particular, preferably in the intermediate region is an elastic tongue interacting with a button of the cuff for the hand, whereby the elastic tongue can be elastically deflected, whereby the fastening element can be detached in the intermediate region, and thus the part of the cuff guided by the guiding elements can be offset relative to each other. While the elastic tongue is preferably formed using grooves in the shoulder part of the cuff so that the area between the grooves, preferably located in the Central region of the cuff for the hand, can be resiliently moved or can be rejected with a button. Preferably, by deflecting the elastic tongue, one or more locking connections, which are fasteners, are brought out of engagement or geometric closure, so that the cuff parts can move freely relative to each other to adjust the width of the cuff for the hand. By releasing the button, the resilient tongue is pushed back and thus engages again inside the fastener connection with a positive locking, so that the width of the cuff for the hand and, thus, the relative position of the cuff parts are fixed relative to each other. Thanks to this construction, a simple and very safe use of the cuff for the hand according to the invention is provided.

The button is preferably located in the shoulder part of the cuff in the area of the hole, made in the form of an elongated slot, so that the button can be operated outside by the user, while the displacement and / or rotation of the cuff parts can occur so that the button into action along the displacement path and / or rotation, corresponding to the length of the elongated slot. In this case, the button can be made as a separate part or as a part, which, in particular, is made as one unit with an elastic tongue.

The button is preferably made so that it passes through an elongated slot in the area of the elastic tongue and preferably protrudes above it. Due to this passage, an additional guide can be realized, forming an additional guide element and, thus, providing a very reliable guide for the process of displacing and / or rotating the cuff parts relative to each other.

In particular, it is particularly preferable that the hose for supplying or removing fluid flows into the pressure pad in the region of this raised button, in particular through the side area of the button, so that the hose is protected from damage, in particular by shearing. Preferably, the button is made with such a large surface and with the help of a recess it is given such a shape that the possibility of actuating with the thumb is guaranteed in a very reliable way. In particular, preferably the parts of the cuff can be made detachable from each other and, thus, separated from each other, while they can be connected using a connecting element or connecting elements. Thanks to this type of detachable connection of the cuff parts, a separate part of the cuff can be particularly easy to manufacture, can be very easily cleaned and, if necessary, replaced or replaced. This ensures reliable use and the ability to fit the cuff for the hand in accordance with specific conditions, in particular, when there is not enough normal fitting options by moving or shifting or turning. For example, by replacing one or more parts of the cuff for a hand with a modified connecting element or with a plurality of connecting elements, the fitting range can be changed and thereby adapt the width of the cuff opening or cuff opening to the hand according to the significantly different individual needs of different patients.

Particularly preferably, the cuff for the hand according to the invention has two or more parts of the cuff with a C-shaped cross section with shoulders of different lengths. In the connected state, the cuff parts of the present invention have an overlap of the longer arms and form a connecting element allowing the width of the opening of the cuff to be adjusted, which is limited by the shorter arms, and its fixation with one or more fasteners so that the width remains unchanged. flow of use. In this part of the cuff is fixed in its position relative to each other with a fastener or fasteners. This is preferably provided with a detachable locking connection, for example, one of a specified set of screw-nut connections, or one or many other of said fasteners. Thanks to the shoulders of the C-shaped parts of the cuff, made with different lengths, a very comfortable cuff for the hand is created, ensuring the effective installation of the hand into the cuff for the hand and application of force to the particularly preferred treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with good adjustment and also high efficiency when using .

In particular, preferably in the central region of the cuff for the hand, i.e. in the middle region in the longitudinal direction of the cuff for the hand, there is a reinforcement containing at least one fastening element, for example, a fixing element, a gripping element for manipulating the cuff and they are relative to each other, a guide element and / or a slot for placing a hose for supplying or removing a fluid for the pressure pad to be installed in the cuff for the hand. Due to the use of this reinforcement, these elements can be located especially reliably even at a short distance from each other without significant restriction of the adjustment or fixability of the cuff parts. Due to this reinforcement and the location of these elements in the field of amplification, it is guaranteed that the force applied to the patient’s hand, necessary for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, is sufficiently ensured, even if additional potentially weakening elements are located in the cuff parts.

Using this gripping element located in the central region, it is possible to use the cuff for the hand as a whole or also to use separate parts of the cuff in a particularly simple and reliable way and, in particular, the relative position of the cuff parts relative to each other and thus adjustment cuff opening widths depending on the individual needs of the patient. This is all the more important since the use and adjustment of the cuff for the hand according to the invention or the device for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome is carried out by the patient using only and exclusively the hand, which is not currently undergoing treatment. This is ensured by using such a gain in the central region in combination with additional elements that facilitate the use in this gain region. In addition, the cuff for the hand according to the invention is preferably made rounded in the region of the edges of the parts of the cuff, whereby an undesirable point load on the hand in this region of the edges can be prevented or significantly reduced. In this way, undesirable forceful action of the edges of the cuff parts on the patient’s hand can be prevented in the best way.

The invention also relates to a device for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome of a human hand with a cuff for a hand as described above, and preferably with a pressure pad installed in a cuff for a hand and configured to increase the carpal canal when interacting with other parts of the device. The use of this device in combination with the cuff for the hand according to the invention with at least one pressure pad is safe and secure, making it possible to effectively and reliably treat the patient’s carpal tunnel syndrome.

The invention is illustrated below with examples of preferred variants of its implementation, with reference to the drawings. The invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments.

In this case, the drawings schematically show the following:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative device for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with a small width of the opening of the cuff,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 with an increased width of the opening of the cuff,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 for adjusting the width of the opening of the cuff,

FIG. 4 shows the device of FIG. 1 in section through the device of FIG. 3 in the field of fasteners,

FIG. 5 shows the device of FIG. 1 in a horizontal section through the overlapping area of the cuff parts,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another illustrative device for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with a large width of the opening of the cuff,

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the device of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a different perspective view from the inside to the outside of the device of FIG. 6, and

FIG. 9 is a view of the device with a smaller width in FIG. 6 in section through the area of the fastener.

FIG. 1 shows a device 2 for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome of a human hand with a cuff 1 for a hand with two parts 3 cuffs. Two parts 3 cuffs have a C-shaped cross-section. They overlap in section 5, in which the flat surfaces overlap at least partially. This section 5 forms the connecting element 4 of both parts of the cuff. Both flat surfaces lie on top of each other partially in the same plane. In its central region, i.e., in the longitudinal direction in the middle of the cuff parts, in the region of the portions 5, there are openings 6, 6a, one of the two openings 6, 6a made in the form of an elongated slot 6a. Through both these openings 6, 6a, a hose 7 is inserted into the inner part of the cuff 1, with which the pressure pad 7a, which can be installed in the cuff 1, can be filled with fluid or empty.

Part 3 of the cuff has a hole 1c for the thumb. The cuff 1 for the hand has a hole 1b for the hand, through which the patient’s hand can be inserted in the dorsal, that is, in the longitudinal direction, until the thumb passes through the hole 1c for the thumb. The shoulders 3a of both parts of the cuff 3 have an overlap of 5, the other shoulders 3b are spaced apart from each other so that they form the opening 1a of the cuff. The width of the opening 1a of the cuff depends on the degree of overlap of the area 5 of the connecting element 4 of both parts 3 of the cuff 1 for the hand. Both parts 3 of the cuff, C-shaped in cross-section, are connected to each other by means of the connecting element 4 and have such rigidity that the width of the opening 1a of the cuff is suitable for the respective patient, while creating mechanical pressure that straightens the back of the hand (on the dorsal side) and presses on the open side of the cuff for the hand, facing the inner surface of the hand (palm side). The pressure-induced effect of the lever, amplified by the pressure pad 7a, if necessary, causes stretching of the carpal channel passing along the inner surface of the hand. Stretching the carpal canal reduces the pressure on the nerve paths inside and alleviates the symptoms of carpal canal syndrome, which is a very effective treatment. This stretching becomes possible only due to the C-shaped cuff open on one side.

According to the invention, both parts 3 of the cuff are displaced relative to each other and connected to each other by means of the connecting element 4 in such a way that the required width of the opening 1a of the cuff is established, providing effective treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome for the respective patient.

FIG. 2 shows the same cuff 1 for the hand of the device 2 according to the invention, as in FIG. 2, while the width of the opening 1a of the cuff is selected substantially larger than that shown in FIG. 1. This is ensured by the fact that both parts of the cuff 3 are positioned relative to each other in such a way that the overlapping portion of their long arms 3a has a smaller overlap than in FIG. 1. As a result, the width of the cuff opening 1a is increased.

The connecting element 4 of the cuff 1 for the hand with flat sections 5 has two parallel guide elements 8. Both of the guide elements 8 are formed by a sliding guide 8a, which ensures the mutual displacement of both parts 3a of the cuff along the sliding guide 8a. At the same time, the slider 8b, fixed on the part 3 of the cuff, slides in the slide track 8c, made in another part 3 of the cuff. Due to the parallel orientation of both slide guides 8a, a uniform, reliable displacement of the two cuff parts 3a without distortions relative to each other can occur.

FIG. 2, in addition to the two slide guides 8, 8a, which run parallel to each other, in the region of the overlapping flat portions 5, the fastening members 10, 10a which are parallel to each other are also made. Fasteners are locking connections. In them in the corresponding fixing recess by means of a connection 10a with a geometric closure engages a shaped element, thus preventing further displacement along the sliding guide 8a after engagement.

In order to allow the portions of the cuff 3 to be displaced relative to each other, the fastening element 10, 10a is first disengaged, in order then to make an offset along the sliding guide 8a. If the desired width of the opening 1a of the cuff is reached, then the fastening element 10a is used, which again forms a connection with a positive fit, as a result of which, due to fixation, the further displacement of the cuff parts relative to each other is prevented.

Due to this direction of the cuff 1 for the hand according to the invention, the guide elements 8, made in the form of a sliding guide 8a, in combination with fastening elements 10, provide a very reliable, safe and simple use of the cuff 1 or device 2 for treating carpal tunnel syndrome.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cuff 1 for the hand or the device 2 during adjustment of the width of the opening 1 a of the cuff. In contrast to FIG. 2, in FIG. 3 one part 3 of the cuff is inclined relative to the other part 3 of the cuff. As a result of this inclination, a gap 11 arises, which is open along its length in the region of the overlapping section 5. Through this gap 11, an element with a geometric closure of a fastening element 10a with a geometric closure is removed from the fixing recess, as a result of which the mobility of the cuff parts 3 is ensured within the limits of freedom of movement 8a slip. The possibility of relative displacement of the parts 3 of the cuff relative to each other is set by the length of the slide guides 8a. The stop of these slide guides 8a limits the width of the opening 1a of the cuff. At the same time, on the one hand, it sets the lower limit of the width of the opening 1a of the cuff and, on the other hand, also the maximum width of the opening 1a of the cuff.

Due to the fact that the holes in the flat area 5 for the placement of the hose 7 are made in the form of an elongated slot 6a, the length of which corresponds to the length of the sliding guide 8a, the movement is not limited to the length of the elongated slot 6a, or the hose 7 is not damaged or clamped shoulders and 3a. Due to this, functionality and adjustment of the cuff 1 for the hand or the device 2 are largely provided.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the design of the cuff 1 for the hand. The C-shaped parts of the cuff 3 have a long shoulder 3a and, accordingly, a short shoulder 3b. The long shoulders 3a have a region of overlap (section 5). Part 3 of the cuff is inclined relative to each other so that they have a gap 11 in the area of overlap, open along its length. This gap 11 shows a fastener 10, 10a. It consists of two parts. One part has a characteristic shape and is located on the upper long arm 3a. The other part has a recess in which the first part with a characteristic shape can be placed with a geometric closure, and which, due to the geometric closure, prevents displacement, that is, a different arrangement of the two parts of the 3 cuff relative to each other.

In the state shown in FIG. 4, the fastening element 10a is not engaged, so that the cuff parts 3, which are guided not shown in FIG. 4 slide guides 8, 8a may be offset relative to each other.

FIG. 5, the connecting element 4 is shown in more detail in horizontal section in the region of the overlapping portion 5. It has two parallel sliding guides 8a with sliders 8b having a profile with an inner cut and engaging in the slide track 8c, the profile of which corresponds to the slider 8b and which allow displacement along the track 8c slip.

The slide guide 8a has, at one end, a compartment area 9 without a profile having an internal cut-out in accordance with the rest of the slide track 8c. On the contrary, such a separation area 9 has an opening corresponding in its cross section to the largest cross section of the slider 8b. This means that the shape of the separation area usually corresponds to the shape of the slider, and its size is slightly larger. This design of the separation area 9 allows the slider 8b to be removed from the slide guide 8c and, as a result, to separate both parts of the cuff 3 from each other and thus detach them from each other. Parts 3 of the cuff 1 for the hand with an adjustable connection formed by this connecting element 4 can be detached, thus from each other, so that selective cleaning, maintenance of individual parts of the 3 cuff or replacement with another fitted part 3 cuffs. This ensures the possibility of very reliable, safe and durable use.

In addition to the two guide elements formed by the sliders 8b with the slide track 8c and parallel to each other, two fastening elements 10a are additionally arranged in the connecting element 4. They have an elongated recess having a jagged edge. In this toothed recess engages with a geometric closure shaped element, preventing in the state of engagement by means of geometric closure further displacement of the parts 3 cuff relative to each other. To ensure this, a shaped element is located on one part of the 3 cuff, and on the other part of the 3 cuff there is a corresponding groove with a positive locking. Fixation with fastening elements 10a with a geometric closure occurs in this case with essentially the same linear dimension as the displacement along the guide elements, which in this case are made in the form of a sliding guide 8a.

A hose 7 with a pressure pad 7a is located and shown in the central region of the connecting element 4. By inflating the pressure pad 7a between the back of the patient’s wrist and the section 5 with the long arms 4a, on the one hand, pressure is generated on the outer side of the hand and, on the other hand, pressure is generated in the direction of the inner side of the long arm 3a of part 3 of the cuff 1 for hands. Due to this, one long shoulder 3a is pressed against the other long shoulder 3a of the cuff parts 3 in the region of region 5, while the fastening elements 10a engage or are held in engagement, and are thus protected from unintentional opening.

FIG. 6 shows another illustrative device 2 for the treatment of human carpal tunnel syndrome with a cuff 1 for a hand with two parts 3 cuffs. Two parts 3 cuffs have a C-shaped cross-section. They overlap in section 5, in which the cylindrical surfaces overlap at least partially. When this overlap occurs in the area of the long arms 3a of the parts 3 of the cuff. The overlap can be increased or reduced by mutual displacement, in the form of rotation, so that the width of the cuff 2 for the hand can be increased or decreased.

In the central region, as in the device of FIG. 1-5, an elongated slot 6a through which the hose 7 passes for filling or emptying the pressure pad 7a with fluid. In addition, a button 12 passes through the elongated slot 6a and is rigidly connected to the long arm 3a.

The edges of the parts 3 of the cuff are beveled, in particular in the area of the elongated slit 6a. In the region of the outer C-shaped part 3 of the cuff, in the region of the elongated slot 6a, in the central region, the gripping part 14 is made, with which the two parts of the 3 cuff can be positioned relative to each other in their relative position. The gripping part 14 additionally performs a protective function for the hose 7, so that it is protected, in particular when interacting with the button 12, from unintentional bending and damage.

The device 1 of FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 7 in another view at an angle. It shows the design of the inside of the 3 cuff. Its long shoulder 3a has two guiding elements 8, made in the form of a sliding guide 8a. Between these two parallel guiding elements 8, 8a are two grooves 13a, which are two parallel cutouts, which run parallel to the guiding elements 8, 8a.

Using these grooves 13a, an elastic tongue 13 is formed in the central region of the long arm 3a. A button 12 is placed on the upper side of the elastic tongue 13, passing through the elongated slot 6a and clearly protruding above it. A hose 7 passes through the edge of the raised button 12, protected by the bulge of the button 12 and the gripping part 14. The overlap of the cuff part 3 is small, as shown in FIG. 6 and 7, so that the width of the cuff 1 cannot be large. If the cuff parts 3 are brought together along the guiding elements 8, 8a after unlocking the fixation by actuating the button 12, the overlap increases and the width of the cuff 1 for the hand decreases. This is ensured by pushing the button 12 in the direction of the elastic tongue 13, with the result that the elastic tongue deflects inward and fasteners 10, 10a, not shown in FIG. 7 are disengaged, with the result that it is possible to displace the cuff parts 3 relative to each other. In order to achieve fixation of the relative position of the parts 3 of the cuff with respect to each other, the button 12 is no longer activated, so that it resiliently rotates with the elastic tongue 13 to its original position back out, with the fastening elements again engaging. The relative position of the parts 3 of the cuff is fixed by means of this engagement with a positive interlock.

The underside of both long arms 3a is shown in FIG. 8. The left shown part 3 of the cuff with a long shoulder 3a has two parallel tracks 8c slip. Between them there are two parallel grooves 13 a, forming an elastic tongue 13 in the central region of the left part 3 of the cuff. Through the only remaining material connection of the elastic tongue 13 with the remaining part 3 of the cuff, an elastic support element is formed, around which the elastic tongue 13 can rotate. In the middle on the lower side of the elastic tongue 13 is a pressure pad 7a, which can be filled or emptied with a hose 7. Hose passes through a substantially circular opening in the elastic tongue 13 and then through the elongated slit 6a in another part 3 of the cuff.

On the opposite upper side of the elastic tongue 13, locking elements are located which can engage in recesses 10a with a positive locking on the inside of the other part 3 of the cuff, and which together form the fastening element 10. The fastening elements 10 are actuated by a button 12, not shown in FIG. eight.

In the slide tracks 8c, respectively, the slider 8b engages, rigidly connected to the other part 3 of the cuff and, together with the corresponding slip track, forms a sliding guide and thus a guide element that defines and limits the relative movement of the parts of the cuff 3 relative to each other. A stable connection of the parts 3 of the cuff with each other is ensured by means of the sliders 8b and the corresponding sliding track 8c without a separation area, and their relative position relative to each other is set by the interaction of the guide elements 8 and the fastening elements 10.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along the fastening element 10, 10a of the device 2 according to FIG. 6-8 in a state with a large overlap and, thus, with a small width. The outer long shoulder 3a of the right C-shaped part 3 of the cuff has at its end a gripping part 14 and, on its inner side, a plurality of recesses 10a with flush fastening grooves, which, together with the fastening fastener 10a, form a locking element 10, made in the form of fixing connections. The locking grooves 10a and the fastening element 10a have two side surfaces with different inclination angles, which makes it easier to increase the overlap of the long arms 3a of the 3 cuff parts and make it less difficult to reduce the overlap. By actuating the buttons 12, the elastic tongue 13 with the fastening element 10a with a flush, projecting radially outwardly above the elastic tongue 13, is deflected inward, is removed from the dimple with a flush and, thus, weakens the fixation. Now the rotation of the parts 3 cuffs can be easily performed, in particular, using the gripping part 14.

A pressure pad 7a is located on the inner side of the elastic tongue 13, which can be filled with fluid through the hose 7 so that its width increases and the pad fills the intermediate space between the patient’s hand and the wrist cuff 1, thus protecting the fasteners 10, made in the form of a locking connection, from unintentionally detaching, in addition to the elastic force of the elastic tongue 13.

Thus, it is understood that adjustment and protection against unintentionally changing the width of the opening 1a of the cuff are provided in a particularly advantageous manner, which guarantees particularly effective and convenient use of the device and the cuff 1 for the hand according to the invention.

LIST OF POSITION NUMBERS

1 cuff for hand 1a hole cuff

1b hand hole

1c hole for thumb

2 device for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

3 piece cuff

3a long shoulder of the cuff

3b short shoulder part cuff

4 connecting element

5 overlapping areas

6 hole; slot

6a elongated slot

7 hose

7a push pad

8 guide element

8a slide guide

8b slider

8c slip track

9 branch area

10 fastener

10a snap-in fastener that secures the connection

11 clearance

12 button

13 elastic tongue

14 gripping part

Claims (21)

1. Cuff (1) for the hand for the device (2) for the treatment of carpal canal syndrome of the human hand, having a palm side with tener and hypothenar areas and a dorsal side opposite the palm side, having a C-shaped profile in cross section, with ends C -shaped profile form the opening (1a) of the cuff, characterized in that the cuff (1) for the hand has two or more parts (3) of the cuff, having a C-shaped profile in cross section and connected to each other by means of at least one connecting element (4) with the formation of the cuff (1) for the hand, while the parts (3) of the cuff are connected to allow displacement and / or rotation relative to each other to adjust the width of the opening (1a) of the cuff, moreover, at least one connecting element (4) contains sections (3a, 5) of the connected parts (3) of the cuff, which mutually overlap, moreover, the sections (3a, 5) of the cuff connected and made with the C-shaped parts (3) mutually overlap and form part of the connecting element (4). 2. The cuff (1) for the hand according to claim. 1, characterized in that the parts (3) of the cuff are adapted to be fixed with the possibility of displacement and / or rotation relative to each other. 3. Cuff (1) for hand according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one connecting element (4) contains sections (5) of connected parts (3) of cuffs, which mutually overlap, and sections (5) have flat overlapping surfaces (5). 4. Cuff (1) for the hand according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, in which at least one connecting element contains sections of the United parts (3) cuff, which mutually overlap, and these areas have flat and even overlapping surfaces.  5. Cuff (1) for the hand according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, characterized in that at least one connecting element (4) contains holes (6, 6a) for placement of a hose (7) for supplying or removing fluid for a pressure pad (7a) configured to be installed in the cuff 1) for the hand, with at least one hole (6a) made in the form of a slot (6a). 6. Cuff (1) for the hand according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, characterized in that the parts (3) of the cuff are connected with guide elements (8) for displacing and / or rotating parts (3) of the cuff relative to each other, in particular, by means of one or more tongue-and-groove joints, sliding guides and / or side guides located in the connecting element (4). 7. Cuff (1) for a hand according to claim 6, characterized in that one or more sliding guides (8a) have one or more sliders (8b) with an internal cut-out and one or more sliding tracks (8c) with a profile matched with a slider (8b) or with sliders (8b), with the slide tracks (8c) having a compartment area (9) that allows removing the profiled slide (8b) from the profiled slip track (8c) and / or inserting it into the profiled track (8c ) slip. 8. Cuff (1) for the hand according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, characterized in that the parts (3) of the cuff have an offset and / or rotation limitation, in particular, provided by an abutment and / or by the end of the slide track of the sliding guide (8a). 9. Cuff (1) for the hand according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, characterized in that the connecting element (4) parts (3) cuff, made with the possibility of displacement and / or rotation relative to each other, has a scale for indicating the size of the width of the hole (1a) cuff (1) for the hand. 10. Cuff (1) for the hand according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, characterized in that the part (3) of the cuff is connected with the possibility of fixation by means of one or more fasteners (10, 10a) located in the connecting element (4). 11. The cuff (1) for a hand according to claim 10, characterized in that one or more fasteners (10) are formed by means of a screw-nut connection, a magnetic connection, a glue connection, a connection (10a) with flush or a clamping connection, in particular, by means of a clamping element of the crank arm. 12. The cuff (1) for the hand according to claim 11, characterized in that the sliding guides (8a), made in the form of guiding elements (8), have one or more sliders (8b) with an internal cut-out and one or more tracks ( 8c) sliding with a profile matched with a slider (8b) or with sliders (8b), wherein at least one fastening element (10) is located in an intermediate region between two sliding guides (8a), and, in particular, in an intermediate region located elastic tongue (13), the cuff (1) for the hand is provided with a button (12), made with the possibility of elastic deflection of the elastic tongue (13), thereby allowing the fastening element (10) to be detached and, thus, shifting the cuff parts (3) relative to each friend 13. The cuff (1) for the hand according to claim 12, characterized in that the button (12) is connected to the elastic tongue (13), while the button (12) is positioned and configured to be actuated through the opening (6, 6a ), made in the form of a slot (6a), in particular, the button protrudes through it. 14. The cuff (1) for the hand according to any one of paragraphs. 1-13, characterized in that part (3) of the cuff is connected with the possibility of disconnection. 15. Cuff (1) for the hand according to any one of paragraphs. 1-14, characterized in that the parts (3) of the cuff have a C-shaped cross-section with shoulders (3a, 3b) of various lengths, and the parts (3) of the cuffs overlap the longer shoulders (3a) of the various parts (3) of the cuff a connecting element (4) made with at least one fastening element (10) for, in particular, a detachable fastening connection of the connected parts (3) of the cuff. 16. Cuff (1) for the hand according to any one of paragraphs. 1-15, characterized in that in the central region of the cuff (1) for the hand, there is a reinforcement having at least one fastening element (10), at least one gripping element (14) for manipulating the connected parts (3) of the cuff and / or their location relative to each other, at least one guide element (8), at least one fixing element and / or at least one slot (6). 17. Device (2) for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome in the human hand, which has the palmar side with the areas of the tener and hypothenar and the dorsal side opposite the palm side, containing the cuff (1) for the hand according to any one of claims. 1-16 and at least one pressure pad (7a), fixed in the cuff (1) for the hand and made with the possibility of increasing the carpal channel when interacting with other parts of the device (2).

Images